After 20 years in the game, Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant retired with a celebrity-packed send-off at his last NBA game. Tickets were said to be in upwards of $20,000 for premium seats courtside.
Scoring 60 points for the sixth time in his career, it broke the NBA record for “most points scored during a player’s last game.”
Among the star-studded audience were Adam Levine, Brian Austin Green, Jack Levine, Behati Prinsloo, and Jay Z. Rumor has it Jack Nicolson, who also attended, got teary-eyed watching Bryant speak to his fans and teammates during his farewell speech.
Some celebrities were unable to make it to his final game, but took part in a video to thank the famed athlete. These included Ashton Kutcher, Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Seacrest, Zac Efron, and previous Lakers cheerleader Paula Abdul. Other personalities took to Twitter to wish the NBA star the best.
Not only did Bryant’s retirement bring out a multitude of fans, celebrities and press, it helped the Staples Center break a record on Wednesday, selling $1.2 million worth of various merchandise. The more expensive items sold included snake and lamb skin hats costing over $38,000, as well as hats made of cashmere studded with diamonds for over $28,000.
After announcing his retirement in late November and writing a poem about his love of the sport, his send off was a teary and memorable one among fans. Plagued by injuries over the past few years, his colleagues and followers hope the athlete can finally get some much-needed rest.
At only 37 years old, many followers expect for new adventures on the horizon to keep him in the sport and on the spotlight.